Analysis of the human genome by complementary RNA/DNA gradient hybridization and relaxes cesium sulfate-silver ion density centrifugation

Buoyant density and hybridization analysis of human DNA sequences, including three satellite DNAs

Total human DNA was fractionated from the three types of Cs2SO4 gradient used to prepare satellites I, II and III. Three satellite DNAs were found: satellite I with a mean buoyant density of 1.6888 g/ml comprising about 1.3% of the total, satellite II with a mean buoyant of 1.696 g/ml, comprising about 1% of the total an satellite III with a mean buoyant density of 1.699 g/ml comprising about 2.2% of the total. The buoyant densities of these satellites after purification were 1.686, 1.694 and 1.697 m/gl, respectively. A preparation with the attributes of satellite IV was isolated from the shoulder region of a satellite III preparative gradient. In situ hybridization using complementary RNA showed that the three satellites were located predominantly on chromosomes 9, Y, 15 and 1. Satellite II also showed marked hybridization to chromosome 16. Satellites I and II and III cross-hybridized to each other but satellites I and II did not. On the basis of our hybridization data, we suggest that some of the same sequences which comprise satellite III also comprise satellite I an II.

Non-satellite repetitive human DNA families. Sequence properties and evidence for occurrence in chimpanzee DNA

Repetitive human DNA, fractionated on CsCl gradients following hydroxyapatite isolation, contains two complex DNA fractions, the 1.703 and 1.714 DNA families (Marx, K.A., Allen, J.R. and Hearst, J.E. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 425, 129-147). Biphasic Topt profiles, obtained in DNA excess hybridizations with cRNA tracers from each DNA family, have been shown to be the likely result of a fast kinetic component hybridizing at higher temperatures (67 degrees C peak) and this fast plus a slow kinetic component both hybridizing at lower temperatures (47 degrees C peak). Equilibrium CsCl gradient DNA-cRNA hybrid distributions support previous interpretations of the sequence composition of both DNA families. That is, the fast component is a relatively undiverged repetitive sequence of recent origin, while the slow component is a highly diverged, less thermally stabile, old primate sequence. This interpretation is further strengthened by cRNA tracer hybridization experiments in chimpanzee DNA excess where the fast component appears to be absent and the slow component present.

Heterogeneity of nuclear DNA labelling from intact, wounded and virus-infected tobacco leaves

The nuclear DNA of tobacco leaves includes a major and a satellite fraction, with bouyant densities (rho) of 1.696 and 1.706 g/ml, respectively, in neutral CsCl gradients. On preparative ultracentrifugation, the major DNA presents 4 or 5 shoulders with lighter densities, between 1.695 and 1.686 g/ml. This heterogeneity was confirmed by several types of experiments. DNA synthesis after wounding or viral infection did not induce a new component. Specific radioactivity profiles of DNA show a large heterogeneity in [3H]thymidine labelling that confirms the non-mitotic character of this DNA synthesis. Two zones are highly radioactive: the first one corresponds to the major peak dense side of the DNA and the second one to the few dense minor components, leading to a significant increase of their proportion after infection.

Identification of human DNA sequences complementary to chromosomal RNA with an improved RNA/DNA gradient hybridization technique

Native DNA components in the human genome were identified with an improved RNA/DNA gradient hybridization technique. 3H-Labelled complementary RNA transcribed from total human DNA was hybridized to homologous DNA which had been mildly sheared to generate single-stranded ends. Unhybridized RNA was eliminated from the reaction mixture by column chromatography before the hybrids were subjected to CsCl gradient centrifugation. Nine radioactive peaks representing RNA/DNA hybrids were reproducibly found at buoyant densities of 1.687, 1.693, 1.696, 1.699, 1.702, 1.705, 1.708, 1.711 and 1.715 g/cm3. The technique was also utilized to hybridize I125-labelled human chromosomal RNA to DNA. Three distinct radioactive peaks were found at the heavy buoyant densities of 1.702, 1.705, and 1.708 g/cm3, suggesting a differential enrichment of DNA components with sequences complementary to chromosomal RNA.